*Lorcan watched as Fiona closed her eyes and held out her hands. Immediately her purple aura doubled, then continued to grow wider.
“What is she doing?” Jaycee sounded furious.
The powerful magic Fiona was creating would make Jaycee even more envious.
Like a colorful fantastical mushroom cloud, Fiona’s magic expanded toward the shore. The evil beasts disappeared and were replaced by stunning magical creatures. There were fairies and selkies, kelpies and wulvers, the friendly part-human part-wolf creatures that Lorcan believed only were found on the Shetland Islands.
Lorcan did a double take. “Are those bloody unicorns?”
A herd of the majestic equines pranced along the shore. Their long manes shone and their tell-tale horns glistened.
“Have you truly never seen a unicorn, Demon?” Rohese scoffed. “I thought with your vast experience you had seen all mystical beings?”
Lorcan only grinned. It amused him that in the future, unicorns would become Scotland’s national animal.
Fiona finally opened her eyes and smiled. Lorcan thought he’d never seen anyone as beautiful as his witch partner in her element. With the glow surrounding her, she looked like a goddess.
Jaycee noticed, too, for her face became the picture of rage. She was likely to react badly with whatever dark magic she’d harnessed.
When a large sea creature swam toward them, Rohese pulled Fiona closer and Lorcan held his sword high, blocking the massive beast.
When the immense long-necked creature—which looked remarkably like LAMB’s photos of the Loch Ness monster—drew near, Lorcan’s heart thudded, even as his own powers surged back to life. This was a beast with light magic.
“I would not harm this witch,” the water beast said of Fiona. “For we fought together during the great Battle of Magic. She is a descendant of Alainn, the first transcendent witch, and she’s also important to the water witch, Angelique. I’m especially fond of her.”
“Hello, Water Dragon.” Fiona smiled as she touched the great beast’s snout. “Alainn and Angelique both speak highly of you, too.”
“It was your magic that called to me then…and the others?” The beast gestured toward the shores and the water where the various magical creatures gathered.
Fiona nodded. “Thank you for responding.”
The beast slowly blinked its large eyes. “You are with an elven creature and the son of the dark Irish demon?”
“They’re my friends. We work together trying to ensure other malevolent creatures do no harm to innocent people or beings.”
The beast eyed both males closer and then looked toward the shore where Jaycee stood wide-mouthed, staring.
“Do you wish for me to swallow her whole, drag her to the depths of this river or take her out to sea and let the sharks or a kraken feast on her?”
Fiona sighed. “Each option sounds tempting. Unfortunately, I believe we’ll need to learn what she’s been up to. I suspect she’s involved with some very unsavory characters.”
“Then why have you called us to gather here today?” the dragon asked.
Fiona exhaled. “I knew powerful white magic would triumph over dark magic.”
The beast scowled then. “Sadly, that is not always so. But today it is true. And who is this human male?”
The water dragon glanced at Angus.
“Someone who’s caught up in Jaycee’s dark scheme but I honestly don’t know why.”
“I believe it is because you lived another life with him…perhaps more,” the sea serpent said. “He cares for you deeply.”
“I see that,” Fiona said, which made her feel sorrowful for Angus. “But there must be a woman, the person I was in this life with him, whom he truly loves. Her name is Malina. Do you know where she might be?”
“If you can summon all of us, surely you can call the woman who shares your soul?” the dragon said.
Lorcan watched Fiona shiver on hearing that. It was an odd consideration.
She shrugged then. “I don’t know that seein’ someone who shares my soul is somethin’ I want to experience.”
Lorcan glanced at Jaycee, who oddly stood watching as though mesmerized by the benevolent magical beings. Still only one of the Jaycees had appeared.
“Jaycee?” Lorcan called.
She turned abruptly to meet his eyes.
“Obviously whatever dark powers you now possess won’t be powerful enough with all this benevolent magic. Tell us what you did with Angus’s betrothed and we’ll all go back to LAMB headquarters to sort this out.”
She laughed at that. “So that I can be locked in one of the cells with their other MBs like a common criminal? I don’t think so.”
“You’d prefer to stay here then?” Lorcan called. “If you don’t produce Malina soon, maybe you could use mind control and marry Angus. Though the poor guy deserves better.”
Jaycee cast an unappreciative look at Lorcan and stared at Angus’s sister like she wouldn’t relish having her for a sister-in-law.
She began walking toward the cabin and Rohese tensed.
“How can we simply permit Jaycee Orm to leave without bein’ made accountable for her infractions?”
Lorcan snorted. “I thought your kind were all forgive and forget, live and let live and all that peaceful shit!”
Rohese shook his head. “You know nothing of my kind, Demon.”
“Now is hardly the time to air your differences simply because you both have feelings for the white witch,” the water dragon said.
“Of course I have feelings for Boomer; she’s my partner and my friend. I don’t want her stuck in historical Scotland married to some guy who’s meant to die soon.”
Fiona stared at the cabin and sighed.
“Maybe it’s time to retire that cabin anyway. I’m tempted to just leave it and Jaycee here,” Fiona said. “But if she has the lantern, or has found another way to control it, she could cause havoc for who knows how many people in different historic times. I can’t allow that.”
“Look.” Rohese pointed to the cabin where Jaycee had opened the door and a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Fiona stepped out looking bewildered, especially when she saw the unicorns and other magical creatures.
“Jaycee, awaken Angus and his sister. Let him and Malina be married,” Fiona suggested.
“And then?” Jaycee crossed her arms looking defiant.
“Come back to LAMB. I told you we’ll figure it out,” Lorcan said.
“I will not go back only to be imprisoned.”
“Where’s your sister?” Lorcan called.
“My sister? I have no sister,” Jaycee snorted. “You must be mistaken.”
“What are your intentions, Jaycee Orm?” Rohese called.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Jaycee stuck out her forked tongue.
“It is why I asked,” Rohese replied.
She lifted her chin indignantly. “You should’ve stayed with me, Rohese. We could have been happy together.”
“Perhaps we still could,” he called.
Lorcan saw how Fiona’s jaw tightened at the elven prince’s words. She cared for Rohese.
Was he only trying to get Jaycee to release Malina? Lorcan didn’t think the elven were prone to deceitfulness, but he was half Fae and they certainly could be.
“You’re only saying that to trick me to returning to LAMB and giving up my magical cabin.” Jaycee stared at it possessively.
“It is not hers,” Fiona said through clenched teeth.
“What about Joel?” Lorcan asked. “Your brother’s important to you. He’s been very concerned about you.”
Jaycee shrugged. “He’ll likely be better off without me…you know kinda how you feel about your family, Fiona. All your family.”
This time Jaycee looked at the cabin as though she knew a secret. What was even stranger, Lorcan thought, Fiona appeared more anxious now.
Had Jaycee learned something that Fiona wouldn’t want anyone to discover or was she being her usual slithery troublemaking self? And where was her damn clone or sibling?
“I’ve had time to reflect during this time journey.” Rohese glanced at Fiona. “I have decided I would like to resume relations with you, Jaycee Orm.”
“Really?” Fiona sounded stunned. “You’d go back to her…even after.” She cleared her throat. “You’d honestly consider that knowing what she is? After what she’s done. Knowing she can’t be trusted.”
Rohese began walking toward the shore and Fiona stared harder with each step he took.
“Don’t look so upset, Boomer. He’s probably only trying to distract her.”
However, judging by the displeased look he’d given Fiona earlier, maybe he didn’t believe they had any hope of a relationship. Would Rohese be spiteful enough to go back to Jaycee to hurt Fiona? He was half Fae and they could be cruel.
“Let the Highlander, his sister and his betrothed go free,” Rohese said. “Leave the demon and Fiona Maguire unharmed and we will speak of what arrangement can be made for you and me.”
Jaycee smiled then. She must’ve released whatever spell she had on Angus, for he was no longer like a statue. Jaycee touched Malina’s head and she shook it as though just waking up, too. Donalda took a breath and looked around.
Angus and Malina’s eyes met and they rushed to each other like they saw no one else. Donalda permitted them to embrace only for a short while before berating them about needing to get to the wedding.
They’d only be happy for a day or two before he’d be killed in battle. But Lorcan couldn’t let himself feel distressed about that. Two days of true happiness was more than some people got. He looked at Fiona and swallowed hard.
Then he heard Malina whisper to Angus: “We’ll not be parted again, my love. If you go to battle again I’m goin’ with you.”
Lorcan thought it was likely the couple would die together. Was that better or more tragic?
Rohese approached Jaycee and Fiona turned away. Lorcan saw the elven prince nod toward him and knew what he had to do.
*
Fiona suspected Rohese might only be doing this to appease Jaycee or maybe to save her. Yet he had been angry with her earlier. Even angrier than when they’d had the huge row and vowed never to see one another again.
How could he think she’d ever been ashamed of him? She’d adored him not in spite of his differences, but because of them.
Her heart ached seeing him go to Jaycee. She believed he would resume their relationship. The sanctimonious look on Jaycee’s face made Fiona believe she was content with that for now.
“I suspect we will see you again one day, White Witch,” the sea serpent said. “Until then, fare thee well.”
“Farewell. Thanks for answering my call today.”
The beast nodded, then turned and swam down the river.
Fiona was startled to see Lorcan throw his arms out and create a portal encased in flames.
“Come on, Boomer. Let’s go back to our time. I’ve had enough of Scotland for now.”
“No. I have to get the cabin. I don’t want her to have it and we can’t leave Rohese with her. She’s dangerous and unstable.”
Fiona glanced back in time to meet Rohese’s eyes and felt herself being tugged through the portal and then being hurtled through time. It hadn’t happened precisely as it had in the book from LAMB’s library. They hadn’t all been together like that but maybe it had been a way for Jaycee to lure them all there. Because she and Rohese helped them escape, they’d prevented Arianna from being burned at the stake…or both of them as she’d seen in Mystique’s mirror.
*
Fiona kept trying to pull away but Lorcan held tight to her arm. His demon strength was back. He knew she was severely pissed, but they’d deal with that later.
They stumbled through the portal in LAMB’s facility in time for him to see the mystical cabin set down as well.
Fiona scowled and tore her arm from his grip with magic.
“You had no right,” she blared. “You left Rohese with her.”
Lorcan held up his hands in feigned surrender. “No harm, no foul! And look, the cabin is back and probably your elven prince, too. All’s well that ends well.”
Ringo was standing nearby watching their exchange and he grinned.
“Wow, that was cool, the time portal opening up at the same time as the cabin appeared. Did you plan it that way? But how are you controlling the cabin when you aren’t even in it? And where is Rohese?”
As though on cue, Jaycee and Rohese stepped out of the cabin and she was all smiles. Did being with Rohese really make her grin manically when she’d be facing incarceration? Had they just had sex? Or did she have other tricks up her sleeve? Rohese didn’t appear thrilled. Fiona wouldn’t even look his way.
Minerva and Dalton must have been alerted to their arrival for they came through the doors of the compound.
“We’re glad to see everyone is well,” Dalton said.
“Well might be an exaggeration,” Fiona said under her breath.
She began walking toward the door and Lorcan could see by her body language she was bloody pissed off.
Minerva called out to her. “Fiona, you’ll have to undergo the usual tests and debriefing, and then there’ll be reports to fill out and…”
Fiona held up her hand and Lorcan saw Minerva’s eyes widen. Her mouth was moving but nothing was coming out.
“I will fill out your feckin’ reports after I’ve had a hot cup of tea.”
“Am I to take it something untoward occurred during this time journey, Ms. Maguire?” asked Dalton.
The man was a bloody genius sometimes.
“Everythin’ is just feckin’ grand, Henry, but if I have to be in the same room with that…woman.” She pointed to Jaycee. “Sparks will fly and I don’t think anyone would want that.”
“Now, Fiona, no hard feelings.” Jaycee beamed. “I was just testing my magic. And I’m happy to say, I have developed some amazing abilities.”
Fiona flipped her hair and stared at Jaycee. Rohese’s face was ruddy but he stayed beside the younger woman who looked like she’d burst with joy. But where the hell was the second Jaycee?
Minerva let out a strangled gasp when Fiona waved her hand toward her again, releasing whatever magic she’d used.
“Use your witchcraft on me again, Fiona, and you’ll be very sorry.” Minerva bared her teeth as though she was in werewolf form. “That is belligerent insubordination.”
“Don’t threaten me, Minerva. And if you don’t fire her arse or imprison her indefinitely after we tell you everythin’ that went on during our mission…” Fiona pointed to Jaycee “…then I’ll be leavin’ LAMB faster than you could say silver feckin’ bullet through the heart.”
Minerva looked aghast, growled, and shook her head. “You can’t be that naïve, Fiona. Do you honestly think you can just walk away from this organization…knowing all you do?”
Fiona put her hands on her hips and glared. “You’re sayin’ no one leaves LAMB? You’re like the Mafia? There’s no gettin’ out?”
No one replied and Lorcan felt a shiver down his spine at that realization. Though he might have known.
“Really? No one leaves LAMB?” Lorcan asked. “What about the agents who retire or move away? We’ve had retirement and going-away parties for several.”
“Their memories of all things that occurred here at LAMB are erased,” Minerva admitted.
Dalton looked unhappy she’d told them.
“Should I expect to be encased in cement and tossed in Boston Harbor if I try to leave?” Fiona pressed. “Because the chances of you wiping a dominant witch’s memory clean of only select memories would be impossible.”
“You’re right, of course.” Minerva nodded. “That’s why most witches have to have all memories erased or…they’re rectified.”
Rectified was LAMB’s way of saying killed. Lorcan wondered if they really thought it sounded less sinister.
Dalton’s face clouded. “Let’s go get that cup of tea, Ms. Maguire. You can fill me in on what occurred on your mission.”
“I don’t want to talk about it just now,” Fiona said.
“You aren’t the one in charge here,” Minerva snarled.
Fiona gave her the evilest eye Lorcan had seen yet.
“Oh, I’m well aware who’s in charge.” She glanced at Jaycee. “And since everyone in this room but me and Henry has slept with her—and I’m not even sure about him—I don’t think I’ll get much support.”
Henry actually smiled then and he wasn’t a smiley kind of guy.
“It’s nice to see whatever happened hasn’t dampened your sense of humor, Ms. Maguire. Now reports will have to be made. Tests and debriefing must be done, but come to my office for a cup of tea first. You, too, Mr. Wright.”
Minerva stepped forward. “That’s also against protocol, Henry.”
“Do you believe management conducting illicit affairs with employees isn’t?” Dalton glowered at Minerva who stopped talking. “Have Ms. Orm placed in our strongest holding cell until I have a chance to speak to her at length. Make sure Dr. Mehta administers her medications at the proper intervals. If she refuses, then they’re to be given intravenously. Prince Rohese, you’ll be taken to a debriefing room where I will speak with you shortly.”
Jaycee shook her head. “I won’t be kept prisoner. I’ll just go back in that cabin and…”
Fiona raised her hand and pointed it at the cabin. Everyone watched in horror—or awe depending on their thoughts on Fiona and the cabin—as it went up in flames. Not just any flames. Purple flames. Hellfire. He recognized it from when Arianna had used it.
Jaycee shrieked but recovered quickly. “You wanted that cabin destroyed so no one would know what happened there. But I know. I know it all. Are you going to set me on fire, too?”
“Don’t feckin’ tempt me!” Fiona warned raising her hand again.
This entire compound was metal, yet if those flames reached the time portal there could be irreparable damage. The sprinklers wouldn’t work and he doubted the fire extinguishers would be effective on hellfire either.
Fiona lifted her hands again, and the fire was snuffed out in a way Lorcan couldn’t begin to understand.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Dalton pressed a button on his lapel. “Have security take Ms. Orm now. Keep her restrained with two guards outside the door at all times.”
“I will be talking to the board about this, Henry,” Minerva warned.
“I look forward to it.” Dalton nodded.
Dalton led the way and Lorcan touched Fiona’s shoulder as they started out the door. She looked back at Rohese but he turned away.
“Is your magic still working, Ms. Maguire?” Dalton asked as soon as they started down the corridor. “After that powerful display?”
Fiona nodded. “I believe so.”
“Then take us somewhere safe where no one will suspect.”
She took Dalton’s hand and gestured for Lorcan to grasp her arm and they disappeared.
*
Fiona inhaled several times. She saw the surprised look on Lorcan’s face.
“My home theater and games room is the safest place you could think of?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Your entire house is warded. You said this room is soundproof. Unless we have trackers installed inside us—which might be a possibility—it’s as safe as anywhere I can think of.”
Henry sank into one of the chairs.
Lorcan pulled his hand through his hair. “What the fuck, Dalton? Is what Minerva said true? Do all agents end up dead or their memories wiped clean?”
He sighed. “It does happen and believe me I don’t call the shots. It isn’t always even the board. I am in charge of agents and the time-travel aspect of LAMB, but there are other departments and areas off-limits even to me.”
“The places where they do cloning and experiments on MBs?” Fiona asked.
“Or cloning MBs?” Lorcan added.
“I suspect that might only be the tip of the iceberg,” Henry admitted. “We believe Jaycee has been visiting several MBs imprisoned at LAMB, learning what she can from them. With her photographic memory, we believe she might have happened upon some secrets even I don’t know about.”
“So why not wipe her memories?” Fiona suggested.
“Because she might have information we need or might’ve placed it on a pen drive. She’s clever and calculating.”
“You think?” Fiona shook her head.
“I have her to thank for this.” Henry pointed to his leg. “And there’s more,” he said. “She’s been with LAMB before.”
“What?” Lorcan flopped down on the chair by Henry.
“Ms. Orm is not what she seems. LAMB was formed some years ago and although it was disbanded more than once, we always manage to find funding or backers who feel it is worthwhile. Usually people who have been affected by MBs and know what havoc they can cause.”
Fiona let out a sigh, weary at all that had occurred and all she was learning. Minerva was correct: she was naïve.
“It might be easier to show you,” Henry said.
She and Lorcan did a double take when Henry turned his hand in circles and a tattered brown object appeared.
She met Lorcan’s eyes.
“Did you know he had that ability, Boomer?” he asked.
“At the moment I don’t think I know much,” she replied.
Henry opened the book, a photo album with dog-eared yellow pages.
“Recognize anyone?” Henry asked.
Lorcan and Fiona placed their heads together as they squinted at the faded photographs.
Fiona gasped and her blood ran cold. “That’s George Prescott.” She pointed.
“Your ex, Fiona?” Lorcan asked. “He’s kind of a handsome guy. Now I see the attraction.”
“He was an abusive bastard,” Fiona snapped.
“Doesn’t mean he wasn’t handsome, Boomer.”
“That photo is from the early eighteen hundreds,” Henry said.
“Holy fuck!” Lorcan said as he looked closer. “Is that your grandfather, Dalton? Or great-grandfather or whatever?”
The older man shook his head. “That’s me.”
“So you’ve time-traveled? I heard that,” Lorcan said.
Henry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “This is top secret. I don’t believe anyone alive knows other than Janet Clare…well you would know her as Jaycee for she and I have both been alive for nearly three centuries. Although the one you have met might be a clone.”
“What the actual fuck?” Lorcan said. “So you’re an MB? A vampire or what?”
“I will explain further but not at this time. You must transport us back to LAMB to my office, straightaway. And, Ms. Maguire, I fear we will have to maintain the ruse that you are displeased with me and I will have to force you to follow protocol. Otherwise Minerva or Janet Clare will become suspicious.”
“What about Joel? Is he even her brother?” Fiona asked. “If so then clearly he is immortal, too.”
“He is her grandson several times removed. He’s nearly in the dark about her. She does have mental health issues. But some of the medication she requires is so she won’t age. She also has other grandchildren.”
“I need a feckin’ cup of tea,” Fiona said.
“Take me to my office now and I’ll make you the tea myself.”
“What about Antonio? Is he from another time, too?”
Lorcan stared, wholly confused now.
Henry shook his head. “He is mortal, an impotens, but on the board of directors and does provide funding. He really only wanted to connect with his wife and offer others that solace. I believe he is rather fond of you, Fiona.”
“I suppose I was a little hard on him, but as if I’d marry anyone to live a loveless, unimpassioned relationship.”
“Okay. I’m lost!” Lorcan put his hands up. “Mario is a LAMB director and funds us?”
“Mario?” Henry looked baffled.
“Lorcan’s name for Antonio.”
“Ah. Now, we really must return to LAMB before anyone suspects or Dewey’s monitors depict us leaving the building through supernatural means.”
“About that. We will need to have further discussions on Dewey and his other cloneys!”
Fiona groaned at Lorcan’s attempt at humor, then latched on to both men and used her magic to take them back to LAMB.